Mary and John Winchester cast in the Supernatural prequel spin-off

The Supernatural prequel spin-off pilot has found its leads. Mary and John Winchester have been cast, but it looks like canon is changing.

It was only a matter of time that we’d get to see the new actors taking on the iconic roles of John and Mary Winchester. The Supernatural prequel spin-off, titled The Winchesters, has now found them. Drake Rodger will play John, while Meg Donnelly will play Mary.

The two are on the younger side than many of us expected when it came to the announcement of this prequel spin-off. I’m sure there were many out there who expected to follow Mary and John as a newly married couple or as young parents to Dean. Instead, we’re heading back to just before the events of the Season 4 episode, “In the Beginning.”

Is canon changing for the Supernatural prequel spin-off?

According to TVLine, Mary is described as a 19-year-old hunter. She’s been fighting the forces of darkness since she was a child. However, she’s lost someone close to her and now she considers quitting the family business.

John is described as a selfless and clear-headed Vietnam veteran. He’s just back from the war, and now he has a new mission to face.

These are great, except there are elements of their story that seem to break away from canon. The first is with Mary, who is searching for her father, who has disappeared. This brings in John Winchester, and his arrival will force Mary to lead a new team. During the Season 4 episode, John was dating Mary shortly after his return from Vietnam. In fact, he was considering proposing to her.

Of course, the Vietnam War ended in 1975 and “In the Beginning” was set in 1977. There is a chance that dating and the engagement happened within the couple of year.

It’s the rest of John’s story that seems to change canon. He ends up with traces of his father’s past, and those traces lead him to a secret organization, which I’m assuming is the Men of Letters. It’s time for him to become a hunter.

However, John wasn’t a hunter until Mary’s death in 1983. There is a moment in Season 5 where he learns about monsters and angels, but his and Mary’s memories are wiped by the angels. So, John shouldn’t remember any of this. And he certainly wouldn’t know anything between 1975 and 1977. Mary and John shouldn’t be teaming up as hunters.

I’m trying to keep an open mind, but right now, this prequel seems to be forgetting too many actual events from Supernatural. Of course, it could be in one of the alternate worlds, but weren’t they destroyed by the end of Season 15?

What did you pick out from the actors cast as Mary and John Winchester? What do you think about the prequel series? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Stay tuned for the latest updates about the Supernatural prequel.